The holy city of Rishikesh is one of the top tourist destinations in India, attracting tourists from all around the world. If you are planning a trip to Rishikesh, our ultimate Rishikesh Travel Guide will take you on an unforgettable journey. This tour guide covers all the essential information on how to reach Rishikesh, things to do, and what to explore. Check out the must-visit places to visit and activities to do in Rishikesh, and experience spiritual retreats, adventure activities, and calm walks.
About Rishikesh
Rishikesh is a small scenic town situated at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. It is the only holiday destination in India that is equally popular and important for pilgrimage, yoga, and adventure activities. The city is surrounded by lush greenery and pristine water, which attract tourists from India and abroad. For Hindus, it is of great spiritual and cultural significance. It is also called “Yognagari", which literally means “The Yoga City”. Many Rishis and Saints have been living here for many years. Some renowned Yog Gurus and Saints have also chosen this place for their spiritual practices.
Situated at the foothills of the Himalayas, this serene destination is a perfect holiday destination for every tourist alike. Whether you are a backpacker, adventure enthusiast, spiritual seeker, or nature lover, Rishikesh has something for everyone. It is the best place to seek spiritualism, relax, and unwind amidst nature. If you are planning a trip to Rishikesh this year with your friends or family, use our Rishikesh travel guide.
Best Places to Visit in Rishikesh
Rishikesh is located in the northern state of Uttarakhand. It is a holy city and one of the famous Hindu pilgrimage destinations in India. Dotted with numerous sacred places, serene waterbodies, ghats, and forests, Rishikesh offers plenty of options to explore and see. People also embark on one-day trips to Rishikesh from Haridwar. From various temples to ashrams, bridges to ponds, Rishikesh offers a plethora of options to explore. We have curated a list of the top places to visit in Rishikesh that you should not miss during your Rishikesh tour.
Laxman Jhula
The most iconic landmark and popular attraction of Rishikesh is Laxman Jhula. It is a hanging bridge over the River Ganga, which is situated at an elevation of 70 feet above the river. Built in 1939, the bridge is made of iron and is 450 feet long. The significance of this bridge is that it is made at the same place where Shree Laxman crossed the Ganga River on a jute bridge. Hence, called Laxman Jhula, which connects two villages—Jonk Village in Pauri Garhwal and Tapovan Village in Tehri Garhwal. It is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites for Hindus in Rishikesh and a must-visit attraction. It offers a panoramic view of the surrounding lush greenery, river, and several temples. Unfortunately, this bridge has been closed as it has become old and is unsafe for tourists, but you can still see it from a distance.
Ram Jhula
The next famous attraction that tourists must not miss visiting in Rishikesh is Ram Jhula. This is located a few miles downstream from the Laxman Jhula. Very much similar in its structure and construction. Ram Jhula was built in the year 1980 and is one of the famous tourist places in Rishikesh. This bridge is named after Lord Rama. This connects two banks of the River Ganga. Spanning 450 feet, this bridge is popular for linking two Ashrams of the town—Swargashram and Shivananda Ashram. You will be overwhelmed with the experience of walking on this bridge. This bridge creates a serene passage for pedestrians. Besides, two-wheelers and cycles are also allowed on it, but not any four-wheelers. When you stand on the bridge and enjoy the wind, the bridge also starts to sway with the wind. This is a rare experience that you are not likely to forget anytime soon.
Triveni Ghat
The next best place to visit in Rishikesh is the Triveni Ghat. It is the pious ghat located in the heart of Rishikesh, famous for the evening Ganga Aarti. It is the most visited place in the serene town of Rishikesh, and the sanctity of the place is that it sees the confluence of the three major rivers—Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. This is one of the most sacred places to visit in Rishikesh. Even the two epic mythologies—Ramayana and Mahabharata- mention the importance of Triveni Ghat. According to Hindu devotees, taking a holy dip in the river washes away all your sins. When visiting Rishikesh with family, you must visit this holy place. Sit by the ghats in the evening to soak in the splendor of Ganga Aarti.
Shivpuri
One of the most fascinating places for tourists in Rishikesh is Shivpuri. Located just 19 km from Rishikesh, this small village is the adventure sports hub. You will find the village crowded with tourists who enjoy exhilarating water adventure sports—River Rafting. The place remains overcrowded throughout the year by adventure enthusiasts. People coming here can enjoy other sports activities like kayaking, boating, trekking, rock climbing, etc. The place is famous for riverside camping where one can spend evenings around a bonfire.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
This holy temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Rishikesh. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and devotees come here to seek the Almighty’s blessings. According to the Hindu Mythology, this temple is the same where Lord Shiva drank the venom (Halahal) that came out from “Samudra Manthan”. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is located just 30 km from Rishikesh and is one of the top ten places to visit in Rishikesh.
Tera Manzil Mandir
As the name suggests, it is a 13-story temple located in Rishikesh. Tera Manzil Mandir is one of the famous and holy places to visit in Rishikesh. Perched on the banks of the river Ganga, this temple has strikingly beautiful architecture and can be easily distinguished from afar due to its colorful façade. The 13-story temple is also called Trimbakeshwar Temple. Each story has sculptures of different gods and goddesses. Located near the iconic Laxman Jhula, Tera Manzil Mandir is a must-visit tourist spot in Rishikesh.
Parmarth Niketan
The next famous tourist spot in Rishikesh is Parmarth Niketan, which is the largest ashram in Rishikesh. Parmarth Niketan is located in Swargashram. The ashram was established in 1942 and has now grown into one of the biggest spiritual places in the country. Thousands of pilgrims visit this place where they get a pure, serene, and sacred atmosphere. Tourists who come here get to see and feel the beautiful architecture of the ashram, majestic mountains, clear-flowing Ganga, and lush greenery that rejuvenates their souls. If you are interested in Yoga, you must visit this Yoga training center that offers specialized training for yoga lovers.
Raghunath Temple
This is an important temple in Rishikesh dedicated to Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. Tourists and devotees flock to this revered temple to witness the religious ceremonies that take place here. The temple is very close to the Triveni Ghat. It is designed in traditional architectural style and houses Lord Rama, Sita, and Laxman idols.
Rishikund
Another famous spot for tourists to spend a peaceful time in Rishikesh is Rishikund. This is a pond for rishis. It is said that River Goddess Yamuna herself blessed this Kund. It is located near the Raghunath Temple, and its water body reflects the entrance tower of the Raghunath Temple. You won’t see too many crowds at this place, making it the most relaxing place in Rishikesh.
Laxman Temple
One of the best places to visit in Rishikesh is Laxman Temple. Located near the Laxman Jhula, this is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Laxman. It is said that the temple is built in the same place where lord Laxman meditated to seek spiritual enlightenment. The temple is famous for its beautiful architecture, ancient carvings, marvellous sculptures, etc.
Vasistha Cave
Vasistha Cave, also known as Vasistha Gufa, is an ancient cave where the sage Vasistha meditated during his last years. It is believed that Sage Vasistha was the human son (Manav Putra) of Lord Brahma. He was one of the seven great rishis called Saptarishi. This cave is now managed by Purshottam Anand Ashram, which is located near the cave. The Gufa has a Shivling. The place is famous amongst the people who come to Rishikesh for deep meditation. Vasistha Cave is just 25 km from Rishikesh.
Things to Do in Rishikesh
Rishikesh is the ‘Yoga Capital of India.’ There are many ashrams where you can meditate and perform different styles of yoga. Besides being a Yognagri and pilgrimage site in India, Rishikesh is a hub of adventure sports and fun activities. We have curated a list of the top things that you must enjoy or experience in Rishikesh with your friends and family:
Bungee Jumping
One of the most exhilarating and fun activities to enjoy at Rishikesh is Bungee Jumping. There are many service providers in Rishikesh, each one with different price rates. Some of them have the highest bungee jumping here, with a height of 83 meters to 117 meters. The cost of bungee jumping in Rishikesh varies depending on the service provider. The price may start from Rs. 3500, excluding videography.
River Rafting
The holy city of Rishikesh is famous for river rafting. In fact, this is popularly known as the rafting capital of India. It is a year-round holiday destination famous for river rafting. The best season for white-water rafting is after the monsoon. The cost of river rafting may range from Rs. 1000 to 3000 per person.
Paragliding
Rishikesh offers you an unforgettable experience of paragliding. Enjoy the bird’s eye view of his holistic land, the extravagant Ganges, and the majestic Himalayas. With paragliding, you reach amazing heights with the help of a powered parachute to have a panoramic view of this scenic town.
Kayaking
One of the most thrilling adventures you can enjoy in Rishikesh is Kayaking. You will use a plastic boat called a Kayak to move across the river using a two-bladed oar. You will first be trained to get used to it, and you can enjoy 2 hours of kayaking. You will return home with good boat control skills and, of course, a memorable moment of your life that you will cherish forever. This can cost approximately. Rs. 3200 per person for a 2-hour duration in a day.
Rishikesh is replete with adventure spots and stunning landscapes, making it an ideal tourist destination in India for every kind of traveler. When planning your trip to Rishikesh, you must select the right season according to the purpose of your visit and make a tour itinerary to make your tour memorable and take it to the next level. Book accommodations earlier, as during the peak season, all hotels and homestays get booked fast in advance. This allows you to choose an accommodation that blends perfectly with your choice, and you save yourself from overspending on rooms or hotels. The best way to enjoy an unforgettable experience and transformative trip is to book a Rishikesh tour package from a reliable tour operator.
How to Reach Rishikesh
When planning your trip to Rishikesh, you can come by flight, train, or bus/car. Rishikesh is well-connected to the major cities in Uttarakhand and nearby cities. You get regular trains and flights from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune. Here’s how you can get there:
By Air
The nearest airport to Rishikesh is Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport, which is approximately 30 km from the town. You get flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, etc. After landing at the airport, hire a taxi or cab to reach Rishikesh, which takes 30-45 mins.
By Train
One of the most convenient and easy ways to reach Rishikesh is by train. You can get trains from different parts of the country to Rishikesh directly. Regular and weekly trains are operational from Delhi, Mumbai, Ujjain, Varanasi, Puri, etc. If your city has no direct trains to Rishikesh, you can reach Haridwar by train and then travel by road.
By Road
People often opt for a road trip to reach Rishikesh. Rishikesh is just 235 km from Delhi, and many private and state-government buses operate from Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida to Rishikesh. People also travel to Haridwar by bus and then hire a taxi or cab to reach Rishikesh from Haridwar. You can even come by your own car or cab from Delhi to Rishikesh.
Best Time to Visit Rishikesh
Rishikesh is a summer holiday destination in India. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Rishikesh offers pleasant weather apt for hotter months. The best time to visit Rishikesh is from March to May, when you can even enjoy adventure sports activities like river rafting, trekking, kayaking, and bungee jumping. Avoid Rishikesh tours during the monsoon season from July to August as the place receives heavy rainfall. You cannot enjoy river rafting during the monsoon season. Winter months are too cold here, so you may not be able to take a holy dip in the River Ganga. So, plan accordingly.
